Combination rail and luminaire



y 5, 1964 J. P. FOULDS 3,131,871

COMBINATION RAIL AND LUMINAIRE Filed NOV. 28, 1960 Invervtror: John P.Foutds His Adv-b 0&5

United States Patent Ofiice 3,131,871 Patented May 5, 1964 3,131,871COMBINATION RAIL AND LUMINAIRE John P. Foulds, Hendersonville, N.C.,assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York FiledNov. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 72,105 Claims. (Cl. 240-2) This inventionrelates to a low mounted luminaire or guard rail lighting device and,more particularly, to a combined rail and luminaire for illuminatingsurfaces such as roadways, highways, causeways, airport runways,bridges, parapets, etc.

. I-t an object of the invention to provide a continuous rail member ofrigid construction having incorporated therein means for effectivelylighting the adjacent area. it is a further object to provide astructure wherein the light sources and auxiliary equipment, includingwiring, ballast members and terminal connectors are eifectively enclosedand protected. It is a still further object to provide a structurewherein the light sources and auxiliary equipment are readily accessiblefor inspection and maintenance.

The novel features of my invention will be pointed out in the appendedclaims, and a full understanding of the invention will be had from areading of the following description taken in conjunction with thedrawing where- 111:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a rail lighting deviceconstructed in accordance the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device taken alongthe plane 22 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly broken away, of thedevice.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, it will be seen that in thepreferred embodiment of the present inven tion, there is shown anelongated channel-shaped member 1 that is supported in a predeterminedposition above a given surface or area on supporting means 2. Thesupporting means 2 may be standards or columns of any pre: determinedheight. Any suitable means maybe utilized to secure the supportingstandards 2 in position adjacent an elongated area, such as a roadway orpedestrian cause way, as illustrated by the bolts and nuts designatedgener ally by the numeral 4.

In order that the illustrated device may be utilized to provide asubstantially uniform level of illumination along the length of acontinuous surface, a plurality of elongated openings 5 are provided inat least one wall of the channel-shaped member 1, and light-transmittingplates or windows 6 are positioned :over these openings to protect theinterior of member 1 from exposure to the elements. It will beunderstood that the openings 5 are disposed in that wall of the member 1which is adjacent the surface to be illuminated.

It Wil be appreciated that a plurality of members 1 will ordinarily beutilized in end-to-end relation, thereby to aiford means forilluminating a substantial length of an elongated surface. Since it isdesirable to maintain the rigidity of the entire structure, as well asto protect the interior of the channel-shaped members 1 as completely aspossible from the elements, a plurality of releasable securing means,such as the connecting straps 7, with underlying gaskets 7', aredisposed around the juxtaposed ends of the channel-shaped members 1 andsecured in position by any suitable means, such as a fastening screwarrangement 8.

In accordance with the present invention, the channelshaped member 1 ismounted on the supporting standards 2 and secured thereto by anysuitable means, such as the bolts 9 through its transverse base 9. Also,an elongated partition 10 is disposed in the center of the channelshapedmember 1 and extends substantially the full length thereof to divide thechannel-shaped member 1 into first and second elongated compartments C1and C2 (FIG. 2) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the partition '10 is securedto the channel-shaped member 1 by the bolts 9; however, it will beappreciated that the partition 10 could be made integral with theelongated channel shaped member 1 if such a form of manufacture isdeemed desirable.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of elongated light sourcesare supported within the second compartment C2 of the channel-shapedmember -1 by a plurality of electric socket means which are mounted onthe partition 10 at longitudinally spaced points therealong such that asocket is disposed adjacent each side edge of each window 6. Anelongated lamp 12 (FIG. 3) is mounted in each pair of sockets 11. In apreferred embodiment of the invention the sockets 11 and the elongatedlamps 12 are fluorescent lamps and associated sockets of a suitabletype, such as those frequently employed in commercial use for theillumination of industrial and residential buildings. Of course,suitable ballast means and electric connecting terminal means will beemployedto energize the lamps 12, and such ballast and terminal meansmay be mounted in either the first or the second compartment of thechannel-shaped members 1; however, for a reason to be explainedhereinafter, it is preferred to locate these components in the secondcompartment C2 with the lamp 12.

order to provide electric current to the lamps 12, while at the sametime protecting the current supply cables or 24 (-FIG. 2) from theelements and excessive danger of breakage, such wiring may be placed inthe first compartment C1 of the channel-shaped member 1, shown on theleft side of partition 10 in FIG. 2. It will be understood that aplurality of apertures are formed in the partition 10 at spaced pointstherealong so that connections may be made between the wiring disposedin the first compartment C1 of the channel-shaped member 1 and theballast and terminal means preferably disposed in the second compartmentC2. Thus, the first compartment is not obstructed with any ballasting orterminal means, so it afiords an ideal conduit for a plurality ofelectric or other suitable electric current conducting means. Aparticular advantage of this conduit means is that when the cover 3 isremoved from the channel-shaped member 1, the wiring may be readilyinspected and, if necessary, rep-aired.

It be seen that the equipment as thus far described comprises aplurality of elongated hollow members formed trom the channel-shapedmembers v1 and their associated covers 3. Furthermore, it will be seenthat two means of access are provided to the interior of these elongatedhollow members. The first means of access is provided by removal of thecover 3 which is releasably secured in position on the channel-shapedmember 1 by suitable positioning and locking means, such as those to bedescribed hereinaiter. The cover 3 affords access to the interior of thechannel 1 for initial assembly therewith of the sockets 11, lamps 12,ballasts 19 and the necessary wiring 24 and connector blocks (notshown). The second means of access is through the openings 5 in one wallof the second compartment C2 of each of the channel-shaped members 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover 3 is releasablysecured to the channel-shaped memher 1 and positioned thereon partiallyby means of the tongue-and-groove arrangement shown at the left side ofcover 3 in FIG. 2. and indicated generally by the numeral 13. The cover3 is further positioned by the generally V-shaped groove in a ridge 14(FIG. 2) extending longitudinally of the inner surface of cover 3 at acentral portion thereof in a manner such. that the partition 10 isengaged thereby and serves to position the cover 3 precisely above thepartition 10. It will be understood that the tongue-and-groovearrangement 13 and the positioning means 14 may either extend the fulllength of cover 3 and member 1, as in the preferred embodiment of theinvention, or they, may be formed in segments spaced along cover 3 andmember 1. I Also, locking means are provided for releasably securing thecover 3 in position. In the preferred embodiment of the invention theselocking means comprise a rigid hook-shaped member 15. (FIG. 2) on thechannelshaped member 1, and screws 16 that are threaded through suitabletapped apertures in the right side .of the cover 3, as seen inFIG. '2;It will be understood that when the screws 16 are screwed intoengagement with the lip of the hook-shapedmember 15, this member and thescrews 16 will cooperate with the tongue-andgroove arrangement 13, aswell as the 'V-shaped position ing means 14, to prevent the cover 3 frombeing moved either transversely or verticalzl'y relative to thechamelshaped member 1. The hook-shaped-member 15 may be madeintegral-with the cover 3 and coextensive in length therewith. V

It will be seen that with the structure illustrated in the preferredembodiment of the'invention the illuminating means and their associatedelectric current conductors:are housed in a rigid, compartmentalizedarrangement that serves thedual function of afiording illumi natingmeans, and providing either a hand rail or a guard rail arrangement.Morespecifical-ly, it can be seen that the elongated partition 10engages the ,cover 3 at its central portion and thus prevents theelongated hollow structure from being deformed, as it would be if thecover were allowed to be deflected towardthe interior ofthechannel-shaped member 1.

In addition to the ready access meansafiorded by removal of the cover 3from the member 1, access may be gained to the interior of the secondcompartment C2 of the channel-shaped member 1 by removing the window orcover'plate members 6 from the access openings 5. Such an arrangement isparticularly desirable access tothein-terior of member ';1 is desiredforminor maintenance or inspection purposes, such as cleaningthe interiorof the windows 6, or replacinga lamp 12 that may have failed. Suchready. access is afforded by the unique strueulre of the presentinvention while at the same-time the interior of thechannehshaped member1 is kept well protected from exposureto the; elements. These functionsare accomplished by providingan embossment 17 (FIG. 2) along the entirelength'of the base, portion of the channel-shaped member '1 to thus froma lip which engages and positions-the bottom edgesof windows 6.Resilient spring members 18' are mounted on the elongated member 15. anddisposed to engage the inner surfaces of the windows 6 and bias themtoward their respective openings 5. 1 It will thus be seen thatthewindows 6 may be readily slid inleither direction longitudinallyalongthe channel-shaped members 1 thereby to remove them from over theirrespective apertures 5 andthiisexpose the interior of the'second compartment C2 of'the channel shaped member 1 for any desiredmaintenance orinspection purposes. Of course,-

. As indicated'therein, the ballast 19 is supported by clips 29 attachedby screws to the partition and overlying sheet metal flanges 21extending from the 'base of the ballast 19. Each ballast 19 may bedesigned 'to regulate ltVO lamps 12 and may be located behind oppositethe portion of channel 1 between the pair of windows 6 in each sectionof channel 1. A connector block (not shown) may also be attached to thepartition 10 adjacent the ballast-19 for making connections between thesockets, ballast and current supply wiring.

In order to more efficiently direct light from the lamps 12 outacross-the adjacent walk or roadway, there is provided an elongatedsheet metal reflector 22 (FIG. 2) of suitable curvature in associationwith 'each lamp and substantially coextensive therewith. As shown inFIG. 2, the reflector is supported along its lower edge in a groove orslot formed in the bead 17--.and isfastened at itsupper edge to thepartition 10,by screws 23.v f

While a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications may be made therein'withoutsdeparting from theinvention in its broader aspects. For example, it will be evident that,when desired, lamps may be mounted on bothjsides of the centralpartition 10, with the. provision of windows 6 on both sides of thechannel member 1. Also, instead of one iamp 12 behind each window 5,"two'or. more such lamps may be provided, or one longer lamp miaybe.provided to extend/across both windows-50f each channel member 1.-

.What' I claim as new and desire to s'ecure byletters Patent of theUnited States is? v A rail lighting device comprising an elongated hollow member having an open top. closed :by a readily removable covermember, means supporting said hollowmember in a predetermined positionabove a surface, means for rigidly support-in'g -said cover memberagainst: inward deflection secured to said hollow member and abuttingsaid cover member,'said iast mentioned means hollow member forltransmission of light from a lamp in said sockets comprising anelongated opening in'said wall, alight transmitting platedisposed oversaid el ongated opening, and means for detachably securing said plate inposition over said. elongated opening, and power supplymeans, forconnection to said sockets, including wiringdisposed within one of saidcompartments. V

V 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the means (for detachablysecuring said plate in position comprises. means defining platepositioning embossments on said one wall of the hollow member, andresilient means. mounted within said.. hollow member and disposed to,engage said plate ,thereby to biasthe plate toward said. opening thusaffording means for closing the opening,

'3. A rail lighting device comprising an ,elongatedholiow member having"an open, top, means for supporting saidh'ollow member in a,predetermined position above. a surface, means detachably securing said.hollow member to said supporting means in said predetermined po.-.sition, means defining :an elongated. partition: within said memberdividing the interior thereof into 'first'andsecond elongated walledvcompartments, electric, current conducting means disposed in" said firstcompartment, electric socket means. adapted to supportan elongatedelectric. lamp andtransmit electric powentheretmasaid socket means beingdisposed in said second compartment for supporting, anzclongated-,.-lampin, a; predetermined position therein, means deflningan elongatedlight-trans;v mitt-ing section in one wall of said second compartmentfor transmission of light-from alampinsaid sockets,

an e'longated cov'er for closing the open top of said hollow member,means for detachably securing said cover in position on said hollowmember, said elongated partition abutting a central portion of saidcover when said cover is secured to said holiow member therebyconstituting means for rigidly supporting said cover against inwarddeflection toward the interior of said compartments.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 including positioning means on saidcentral portion of said cover for centering the cover when it is movedinto abutting engagement with the partition.

5. Apparatus for illuminating an elongated surface comprising aplurality of elongated hollow members, means for supporting said hollowmembers in a predetermined position above said surface such that thelongitudinal axes of said members are in alignment, each of said membersbeing disposed in juxtaposition with the next adjacent member in saidalignment of members, each of said members comprising a channel-shapedbase and a detachable cover of substantially equal length, meansdetachabiy securing each of said channel-shaped bases to said supportingmeans in said predetermined position, an elongated partition detachablysecured to each of said channel-shaped bases whereby said channelshapedbases are divided into respective first and second walled compartmentsby said partitions, electric current conducting means disposed in eachof said first cornpartments, each of said second compartments havingelectric sockets disposed thereinto to support elongated electric lampsin predetermined position within the second compartments and transmitelectric power to said lamps, ballast means mounted in each of sadsecond compartments for supplying electric power to said lamps, meansdefining an elongated translucent section in one wall of each of saidsecond compartments adjacent said surface whereby a light transmittingpassageway is afforded from the respective interiors of each of saidsecond compartments to said surface, means for releasably securing thejuxtaposed ends of said bases and said covers together thereby to form acont nuous hollow member having continuous first and second elongatedcompartments, said releasable securing means being further effective toretain each of said covers in position on its respective base andincluding a longitudinal groove extending along the upper edge of oneside of each channel-shaped base, hook means extending along the upperedge of the other side, tongue means engaging said groove extendinglongitudinally along one edge of each detachable cover and a series oftapped apertures having screws Lhreaded therethrough along the otheredge engaging said hook means and a positioning ridge for engaging (theupper edge of said part-L tion having a V-shaped notch therein extendinglongitudinally of the inner surface of each cover for centering thecover when it is held by said releasable means and rigidly supportingthe same against inward deflection toward the interior of saidcompartments.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,310,593 Or-licki Feb. 9, 1943 2,348,930 Schepmoes May 16, 19442,866,082 Clayton et a1 Dec. 23, 1958 2,877,340 Spaulding Mar. 10, 19592,893,148 Figrnan July 7, 1959 2,914,657 Akeley et a1 Nov. 24, 1959FOREIGN PATENTS 1,054,173 Germtany Apr. 2, 1959 1,248,915 France Nov.14, 1960

1. A RAIL LIGHTING DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HOLLOW MEMBER HAVINGAN OPEN TOP CLOSED BY A READILY REMOVABLE COVER MEMBER, MEANS SUPPORTINGSAID HOLLOW MEMBER IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION ABOVE A SURFACE, MEANSFOR RIGIDLY SUPPORTING SAID COVER MEMBER AGAINST INWARD DEFLECTIONSECURED TO SAID HOLLOW MEMBER AND ABUTTING SAID COVER MEMBER, SAID LASTMENTIONED MEANS DEFINING AN ELONGATED PARTITION WITHIN SAID MEMBERDIVIDING THE INTERIOR THEREOF LONGITUDINALLY INTO FIRST AND SECONDELONGATED WALLED COMPARTMENTS, ELECTRIC LAMP AND TRANSMIT ELECTRIC POWERTHERETO, SAID SOCKET MEANS BEING MOUNTED ON SAID PARTITION TO BE LOCATEDWITHIN ONE OF SAID COMPARTMENTS FOR SUPPORTING AN ELONGATED LAMP IN APREDETERMINED POSITION THEREIN, MEANS DEFINING AN ELONGATEDLIGHT-TRANSMITTING SECTION IN A SIDE WALL OF SAID HOLLOW MEMBER FORTRANSMISSION OF LIGHT FROM A LAMP IN SAID SOCKETS COMPRISING ANELONGATED OPENING IN SAID WALL, A LIGHT TRANSMITTING PLATE DISPOSED OVERSAID ELONGATED OPENING, AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY SECURING SAID PLATE INPOSITION OVER SAID ELONGATED OPENING, AND POWER SUPPLY MEANS FORCONNECTION TO SAID SOCKETS, INCLUDING WIRING DISPOSED WITHIN ONE OF SAIDCOMPARTMENTS.